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Saturday, April 05, 2008

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Weekend Discussion: Crucial Mobile Accessories

- Rob Bushway

When it comes to being mobile, having the right accessories certainly makes the task much more productive and enjoyable.

Here is a list of my most crucial mobile accessories:

  1. a good phone that you can check your email and browse the web on. I currently use the Apple iPhone and it has become my "first go to device" when mobile
  2. a power inverter - I keep one in my car at all times to charge stuff like my tablet pc and MacBook
  3. a USB auto power adapter - these little adapters have become some of the most useful accessories I've had in a while. I can keep my phone charged, my wife's Zune, a GPS, and more just by swapping out the USB cable
  4. extended batteries - Whenever I buy a new Tablet PC, I almost always get an extended battery for those times that I'm away from power supply
  5. extra AC adapter - I always buy at least two AC adapters - one for home and one for the bag. Nowadays, many docking stations are not coming with power adapters, so you have to buy one for the docking station, too
  6. a mix of bags - I like to keep a big and small bag handy in my office. If I'm going out of town, I'll likely bring the big bag with me because I have to carry so much of my office with me. When I'm just bopping around town, going to client sites, etc, I'll carry a much smaller bag like Tom Bihn's Ristretto or Buzz Bag
  7. In my car, I have a toiletries bag that contains a bunch of miscellaneous items that won't fit in my glove compartment. This small carrying bag is perfect for helping keep my car clean (which is always a struggle for me). I keep extra mini USB to USB cables in there, the inverter, a Zune cable, an iPhone USB cable,  a small screw driver set, and other items I can't remember right now.
  8. I always carry a bevy of extra cables in my bag that I store in Tom Bihn's organizer pouches. These include mini USB to USB cables, charging stuff, spare AA batteries, SD cards, USB sticks, etc
  9. As noted above, I always carry an assortment of SD cards, USB sticks, and various adapters.
  10. A travel power strip - I recently purchased one of these Belkin Mini Power Strips, and absolutely love it. It combines USB and AC into one device. Perfect for the hotel and for leaving those extra USB power adapters at home. These Monster Outlet solutions are also really good. I know Warner uses them quite frequently.
  11. When going to conferences and such, I'll carry a small camera with me. However, I mostly just rely on my iPhone's camera to most of my picture taking while mobile.
  12. A WWAN solution - I currently use a Novatel USB727 EVDO modem through Verizon
  13. A good mounting solution - I've come to really appreciate the mounting solutions available through ProClipUSA.com . I used to consider stuff like that fluff, but now consider them essential accessories. Having the right mounting solution for your phone, Tablet PC ( like the OQO ), or PDA is very helpful in keeping the mess of wires straight, and for keeping your eyes on the road while answering a call, playing music, etc. They help to provide quick touch access to your most used devices. I can't recommend them enough. There are a ton of mounting options out there for most Tablet PCs, too.
  14. A really good coffee mug - I've dropped more phones in open coffee cups that sit the center console of my car than I can shake a stick at. I'm currently enjoying a metal thermal mug from Starbucks that sits perfectly in the center cup holder. Nothing beats a great coffee mug for keeping that coffee warm while heading around town.
  15. A Molekine journal and pen. I still love writing with pen and paper, and often times, breaking out the Moleskine is the most productive thing I can do when mobile.

There are certainly a lot of other mobile accessories I carry every now and then, but those are the crucial ones - the ones I rely on the most.

What are your "crucial mobile accessories"



Saturday, April 05, 2008 9:58:13 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
You would think the automakers would pick on the power inverter need and build them into cars.
cphickie
Saturday, April 05, 2008 10:37:35 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
16. InkPen.
type: manual ink color: black or blue specs: no battery needed
(For signing those so important contracts...)
SAM
Saturday, April 05, 2008 10:38:44 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
Sorry didn't see all of #15.
Nevermind
SAM
Saturday, April 05, 2008 2:00:15 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
Pen and paper? How quaint! ;-)
Gavin Miller
Saturday, April 05, 2008 2:34:27 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
Gadget that I must have on the go, and that resent whole-heartedly: friggin' iPhone headphone adapter!!!

My car has an mp3 input and if I forget that little ten dollar Belkin adapter, my ride is musicless and/or podcastless.

Grrr.
Jamie Poster
Sunday, April 06, 2008 7:59:05 AM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
Having to make a quick trip out-of-town this week, I really appreciated your article. I grabbed my el-cheapo Staples computer backpack and stuffed my Fujitsu T4210 Tablet, Sam (for "power computing"), Samsung Q1-U (for note taking, portable computing and surfing), Digital Camera, Ipod Touch and At&T 8525 into it. In these situations, I like the Igo line of chargers. The one I have is the $119.00 Auto/Home adapter. I have a tip for each of my devices, so I normally only need one charger for the trip. It even has a cigarette lighter adapter, so I can use any of these devices in the car. When I do carry extra adapters, the monster surge strip is handy to have. I was excited to see the Belkin one with the usb ports, but it does not look like the outlets are spaced far enough apart to use with two power bricks. Now if monster came out with one that had four usb ports, that would be perfect!!! Next, can we work on a standardized charging/synching port. A few years back, it was going to be the mini-usb....yet, I still have a bag full of cables to connect all of my different devices. This is the hardest part of packing; to be sure I have all the cables I need. No matter how many spare ones I pick up, I always seem to be looking for one more.
Tony
Sunday, April 06, 2008 4:36:26 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
1) Lenovo X61T 8 cell
2) Waterfield sleevecase
3) Smartphone

Keeping it light & simple :)
Toby
Monday, April 07, 2008 5:09:19 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
Are any of the Tom Bihn bags or pouches known to be a good fit for the OQO model 02? I'm imagining a small and light case for that with someplace to stash the pen, usb key, etc.
Monday, April 07, 2008 5:14:34 PM (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-06:00)
I like both the Buzz Bag and Ristretto. The pouches are too small for the oqo.
Rob
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